The Captive

by Christoph von Schmid

This gripping account of a kidnapped sixteen-year-old boy will keep you on the edge of your seat! Bought by a rich Muslim family, a powerful drama unfolds as he is faced with a decision that could grant him his freedom-or possibly their freedom in Christ.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Classics, Fiction, Christian, Audiobook

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1841

About the author

Don't confuse with Johann Christoph von Schmid (1756-1827).

Johann Nepomuk Christoph Friedrich von Schmid was a writer of children's stories, educator, and Roman Catholic priest. His stories were very popular and translated into many languages. His best-known work in the English-speaking world is The Basket of Flowers (Das Blumenkörbchen).

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in little over an hour. It's a nice little book filled with a wonderful message about refusing to renounce your faith even if it means your own life will be sacrificed. While I wished I could have seen more the the background and story of the characters, it was still a well rounded book and a nice, easy read.

Once again, Lamplighter Publishing provides a clean, adventurous story the entire family can love and learn from. I don't have to worry about the subject matter or look up reviews for their books. I always know that I'm going to get a clean book with good Christian Values and life lessons. While this isn't one of my favorites from them, it still gets a high rating just for the fact that it was clean subject matter and has good Christian values in it. (Two things I find ever lacking even in the Christian books I read.)

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audio in the car on our way up to Medieval Times. We all rated it 5 stars..krb 3/18/16

Perfect week to listen to this story about loving your neighbor as yourself. Our memory verse in CBS this week was from Matthew 22:37-39 "And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first command. And a second is like it; you shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"..krb 3/18/16

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually didn't read this. I listened to the dramatized edition put out by the Lamplighter Theatre.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short and sweet read-aloud to my little brother.

[Manning · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Captive is a great story based on a young boy named Anselmo who was traveling home from his university when pirates grabbed him and threw him on their ship and sold him as a slave. He was bought by a merchant for 10 pieces of silver and sold to a turk for 100 pieces of gold. Anselmo tries to share his faith with the turk family and saves their daughter from a lion. They want to repay him by making him like their son but he must take on their religion. What will he do? You must read the book to find out!

[Dayna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another in the wonderous Rare Collector's Series by Lamplighter Publishing. This is the story of a young Christian boy who is kidnapped and sold to a rich Muslim family. This account is powerful and gripping. He struggles with his desire for freedom and his desire to serve his Lord even in captivity. A wonderful book about trusting God when things don't seem to be going your way. A great story!

[Brad Clements · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book to my son.

[Emma Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to the audio drama for school. I decided to read the original book too. The audio version is better... :)

[Gracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short book, but a powerful message.

[Debbie Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a story of God’s great providence and grace and the wonderful truth that what Satan means for evil, God uses for good every time. He deserves our unwavering trust.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Background on this little book: when I wrote my novel, The Vanishing German Summer I discovered in my research of the romantic walled city of Dinkelsbuehl one of its citizens who snagged my fascination: Christoph von Schmid, a priest who lived there from the mid-1700s to mid-1800s.

Von Schmid wrote books as gifts for the children of his parish, and in these little volumes, he extolled righteousness and exhorted piety. He encouraged the young people even to be willing to suffer imprisonment and to face death for the sake of Christ.

As old as his books are, I discovered that I was able to get some of them through library loan, including The Captive.

The Captive details the story of a young Italian man, Anselmo, on his way home from university, who is grabbed and bound by Algerian pirates, to be sold into slavery to wealthy Muslims in Algiers. Anselmo, though in despair, rallies the hearts of the other prisoners on board, and encourages them to put their trust - for themselves, and for the families who will miss them that night and all the days ahead - in God.

Von Schmid conveys beautifully the emotions and despair of the youth, as well as the message of redemption through what the enemy intended for evil. Indeed, I was surprised at the very clear, evangelical message and presentation of the gospel in this little volume.

[Just after finishing The Captive, I made another discovery: Von Schmid wrote the Christmas Carol, "O Come, Little Children" (Ihr Kinderlein Kommet)].

[Tirzah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enjoyable listen! It certainly helped pass the time on my commute. The story is an inspiring one and the music and vocal artists keep the listener engaged. An added bonus is that Gimli John Rhys-Davies is the host.

This a good one for the car ride for the whole family to enjoy.

Someday, I will read the book version.

[Cala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in an afternoon but it is meant especially for 9-11 year olds. Lovely, well told story for all ages though. I appreciate the theme of not denying God/undying faithfulness and how we don’t always see God’s workings in the moment but we can and should always be looking for just that. A wholesome, Christ centered short novel.

[Timotheus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those Christoph von Schmid stories that you just wish was longer. Excellent story just needed more depth.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

listened to it on Lamplighter Theatre. they have other great audio dramas

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

July 20th finished The Captive by Christoph von Schmid. This book from the nineteenth century is eminently wholesome, as most of the Lamplighter books are. The story follows a boy who is taken as a galley slave, and eventually escapes his master. He falls in with some Muslims and manages to convert most of the family. One member is very angry at this, and tries to kill the “infidel” as he calls him, but the boy escapes with the mother and sister of the family and he ends up killing his own father. He too is converted when the erstwhile slave returns for the father, and all ends in harmony and thanksgiving.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Loretta F. Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, but impactful! A powerful testimony of a teenage boy brings wonderful changes as he faithfully serves his master.